Phoenix Doctor Takes On Myths of Varicose Veins

With summer nearly here, up to 25 million Americans will soon again be dreading the idea of wearing shorts and swimsuits because of their varicose veins. While most people have been taught to think of these unsightly and bulging veins as only a cosmetic problem, in many instances varicose and spider veins can in fact indicate a more serious medical condition. With misconceptions like this, Dr. Mitchell Giangobbe, a Phoenix Arizona varicose vein treatment specialist, is out to educate the public about the real facts of vein disease and the safe and effective treatments that are now available.

What causes varicose veins? Some myths about this have included smoking, obesity, or even crossing your legs. “None are correct,” says Dr. Giangobbe, a board certified surgeon and director of Veincare of Arizona. “ It is a condition called venous insufficiency which occurs when blood pools in the leg veins from the valves failing inside them.” While venous insufficiency often appears as twisted discolored varicose veins in the skin, not all people affected will show visible signs as the damaged veins can be hidden deep within the leg. “On the other hand,” Giangobbe notes, “ even people who believe they only have minor superficial spider veins can actually have a more serious vein condition.”

Why don’t people seek treatment? There are a number of long held myths associated with varicose veins. Dr. Giangobbe, lists the most common five he hears as:

Anything to do with veins is simply a cosmetic, not medical, issue.

I don’t see any bulging varicosities, so it can’t be a vein problem.

There’s nothing that can be done for my leg veins. I just need to learn to “live with it.”

The only vein treatment available requires surgery with a long, painful recovery.

Vein care is expensive, and not covered by insurance or Medicare.

“None of these are true,” Giangobbe says. “In fact, the only truth is that if not treated varicose veins only get worse with time. Vein problems often cause progressive symptoms like leg pain, fatigue, and swelling. In some cases, it can even escalate into dangerous problems such as a deep vein clots or leg ulcers.”

The good news is that varicose veins can be easily treated in the doctor’s office. In the past, a surgical procedure called vein stripping was necessary. General anesthesia was required and incisions were made along the leg to physically pull the veins from the body. Recovery after that surgery often took months. Now, vascular specialists like Dr. Giangobbe use ultrasound imaging and innovative catheter based techniques to treat diseased veins from the inside with just a small nick of the skin. “These minimally invasive procedures have revolutionized vein treatment,” he says. “Patients no longer need to go to the hospital for a major surgery and most people are able to return to normal activities the next day.”

The biggest mistake Dr. Giangobbe sees is people not getting properly evaluated. “Venous disease is a bone fide medical condition and vein treatments are usually covered by insurance and Medicare,” he says. Unfortunately, even many health professionals remain unaware of the advances made in vein care and still give their patient’s outdated advice. Giangobbe cautions, “Venous insufficiency is one of the most common medical problems a doctor sees, but it is vastly under diagnosed and under treated. It’s important to go and seek out a vein specialist who understands and treats these conditions every day.”

To further dispel the myths of varicose veins and educate the public about venous disease, Veincare of Arizona is now offering free leg health screening evaluations. To find out more about this program or for patients wishing to schedule their no obligation evaluation, please call 623-584-7874.

About Veincare of Arizona

Veincare of Arizona is a leading comprehensive vein treatment center in Phoenix, Arizona (Surprise / Sun City West, AZ). It was founded and is directed by Mitchell J. Giangobbe MD, FACS, RVT. Dr. Giangobbe is a board certified general and vascular surgeon and the former Chief of Surgery at Del E. Webb Memorial Hospital in Sun City West, Arizona. He is one of the first physicians in the country to specialize in treating venous disease (Phlebology). He has performed thousands of successful procedures treating varicose veins and spider veins. Veincare of Arizona is a state-of-the-art vein clinic offering patients on-site vascular ultrasound, advanced office-based vein surgery, and in house billing and reimbursement specialists to assist with their insurance and financial concerns.